Plot Structure and Characterization

Plot Structure What is plot? Arrangement of events and actions Elements: Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Denouement (Resolution) Sequence of events that make up a story Gustav Freytag (1816 – 1895) was a German dramatist and novelist. He came up with the structure for the way stories are told in ancient Greek and Shakespearean drama. This analysis (5 part) is known as Freytag’s analysis.

Freytag’s Analysis

Updated plot diagram

Plot Structure Exposition: Beginning of a story -Characters: Protagonist, Antagonist -Setting -Conflict: External and/or Internal Rising Action: Events leading up to the climax Climax: Peak of rising action and conflict -High point -Turning point to mark a change

Plot Structure Falling Action: Events after the climax -Includes effects of the climax on characters Denouement/Resolution: Conflict is resolved -End of the falling action and conclusion -Usually a release of dramatic tension and anxiety (catharsis – “cleansing”) -Originates from the old French word denoer, which meant “to untie.”

Characterization How the writer reveals the personality of a character -Direct characterization Direct characterization tells the audience “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and minded their father.”

Characterization Indirect characterization: shows things that reveal the personality of a character S.T.E.A.L: Speech: What does the character say? Thoughts: What is revealed? Effect on others toward the character Actions: How does the character behave? Looks: What does the character look like? Mnemonic Device From ReadWriteThink.org

Types of Characters Protagonist: Central character Antagonist: Directly opposes protagonist Dynamic: changes throughout the plot of a story May be sudden but expected based on the story’s events Static: little changes if any, stagnant from the Greek πρωταγωνιστής protagonistes, "one who plays the first part, chief actor" Protagonist: Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Hobbit, Edward Cullen Antagonist: President Snow, HG Organizers, Voldemort, Darth Vader, Gollum, James, the Volturi, Victoria

Types of characters Round character – complex personalities; a character whose personality, background, motives, and other features are fully delineated by the author. Flat character – relatively uncomplicated; one-dimensional

Find one example of direct and one example of indirect characterization. Page number and explanation. So far, who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist? Who is a more round character and who is more flat? Who do you predict will be a dynamic character, and who will be a static character?